摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for automatically threading web material, e.g., magnetic tape, from a replaceable supply reel to a non-replaceable take-up reel of a web transport device, in which the web path is nonlinear and relatively complex as a result of various components, e.g., magnetic transducer tape guides, which act on the web while it is being transported. The apparatus comprises a coupling device and a mechanism for moving and guiding the coupling device between the supply reel and the take-up reel. The coupling device couples to a leader block attached to the tape at the supply reel. The mechanism moves and guides the coupling device to thread the tape over the predefined tape path and positions the leader block wholly within a radially disposed slot in the hub of the take-up reel. The coupling device remains attached to the moving mechanism and coupled to the leader block when the leader block is rotated with the take-up reel. The method is characterized by the steps of maintaining the relationship of the coupling device to the leader block and to the moving and guiding means during rotation of the take-up reel when the leader block is positioned in the radially disposed slot of the take-up reel.</p> |